Local people, river users and businesses have been invited to come forward with their ideas to revive a 14-mile stretch of the River Tees.

The Tees barrage built by the Teesside Development Corporation seven years ago at a cost of #150m is now in the ownership of British Waterways.

And Louise Nicholson, the co-ordinator for the project, said: "British Waterways are conscious to work with other agencies to get the full potential of the river for the benefit of local communities.

"A 17-mile stretch of the river, which is in essence the navigable river from the barrage up to Low Worsall is involved."

Adam Scott, chairman of the Tees Navigation Partnership, made up of Stockton Council, British Waterways, regional development agency One NorthEast, and another development body English Partnerships, said: "We are trying to improve access to the river whether it be for use on the water or waterside use.

"We want to meet the demand for increased boating use, more moorings and other boating facilities. We want to enhance visitor use and the potential for tourism while protecting all the best features of the Tees.

"There is also opportunities to help rural diversification. Farmers are interested in opportunities to diversify with such things as camp sites and rural businesses.

"The river goes all the way from the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside right into the heart of Teesside and another big part of all this is to regenerate central parts of Stockton and use former industrial land for new uses."

The initiative is all part of a consultancy exercise by Waterway Conservation and Regeneration working in conjunction with Stockton Council.

Hotspots for development along the stretch of water include Yarm and Stockton's North Bank, Bowesfield and Boathouse Lane sites.

Following the launch of the Tees Navigation Strategy in early July, the views and ideas have been sought of those with an interest in the river such as residents, businesses, water users, farmers and conservation groups.

Waterway Conservation and Regeneration, an expert in river and waterway corridor studies, is now preparing the draft ideas. There will be a further period of consultation early in 2002 on the strategy.

A series of consultations took place at Arc, Stockton where people brought their ideas to a drop-in sessions.

Councillor Geoff Field of Stockton Council said: "Consultation is a key element."

Alan Slater, British Waterways river manager for the Tees, said: "One of our aims is to get Teesside to reclaim the river, to turn back and face the river and utilise it as fully as possible."

Potentially the scheme could result in thousands of extra jobs on Teesside, but jobs are not everything. Some Teessiders on their riverboat trips enjoy wending their way through unspoilt countryside with cows grazing undisturbed by modern day rural business interests.

While wanting any eyesores removed they could be excused for not being keen on regeneration and the prospects hoards of tourists, pleasure seekers and rural business people disturbing the tranquillity.

Jane Neville-Smith, business development manager of British Waterways, said: "The potential the River Tees has for regeneration is tremendous and I think it is important to emphasise that regeneration does not always mean built development.

"The River Tees has a rural quality that we do not want to destroy but we do want to improve access and we will endeavour to enhance this environment for all our users."

Patrick Thornber, from British Waterways, said: "The study is looking at the possibilities for regeneration on the Tees. That can be anything from business, sport or tourism to leisure and heritage. We have got the experience among the partnerships, but it's absolutely essential that we consolidate it well.

"The Tees is a fantastic river and we need an overall plan to change it into a place where the people of Teesside can work, live and play.

"The study will tell us what's feasible economically and what the public want."

He said the regeneration strategy would help to raise Teesside's profile.

Mr Scott said the scheme had attracted a high level of interest from the public.

"At the moment the use of the river is at just a fraction of its potential. Local communities are really anxious to be involved, we've never known anything like it.

"They all relate so strongly to the river and want to know what's going on. The council wants to see the river's full potential used while enhancing its character in terms of history and the environment."

He said the study was sensitively looking at key areas and to create a long-term plan for the future and this would be part of the new policy for land use for Stockton borough for 2016.

"This river had its peak in the 19th century as an industrial river and since then there's been a long, slow decline.

"The barrage has lifted it somewhat and now we are seeing post-industrial uses - such as leisure and tourism - coming in."